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Medigap Guaranteed Issue When Your Medicare Advantage Plan Ends
When a Medicare Advantage plan stops covering your area, federal law gives you a rare chance to buy a Medicare Supplement plan without answering health questions -- if you use it in time.
Most people can only buy a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy without health questions during their first six months on Part B. After that, most companies can ask about your health and decline or charge more. A Medicare Advantage plan ending in your area is one of the exceptions: it opens a guaranteed issue right that lets you switch to Original Medicare plus Medigap even with health problems.
When the right applies
You generally have a guaranteed issue right when your Medicare Advantage plan leaves Medicare, stops giving care in your area, or you move out of the plan's service area. A plan that's being discontinued or dropping your county at the end of the year qualifies.
- Your plan won't renew (you'll get a non-renewal letter, usually by October 2)
- Your plan stops covering your county
- You move outside your plan's service area
Which Medigap plans you can buy
Under federal rules, a Medigap company must sell you Plan A, B, D or G, and Plan C or F if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. It can't charge you more because of past or present health problems, and it can't refuse you. Some states give more rights than this.
The timing window
You can apply as early as 60 days before your Medicare Advantage coverage ends, and no later than 63 days after it ends. For a plan ending December 31, 2026, that runs from about November 1, 2026 to March 4, 2027. Applying early lets the Medigap policy start the day after your old plan ends, with no gap.
Don't forget drug coverage
Medigap plans don't include prescription drug coverage. If you move to Original Medicare, you'll also want a Part D drug plan -- going 63 days or more without creditable drug coverage can mean a permanent late-enrollment penalty. Your plan ending also gives you a Special Enrollment Period to join one.
What to have ready
A licensed agent can compare Medigap and Part D options with you.
- Your non-renewal letter (it helps prove your guaranteed issue right)
- Your Medicare card and the date your current plan ends
- Your doctors and prescriptions
- Your ZIP code
Your next step
See which Medicare Advantage plans are ending for 2027, by state and county.
Common questions
My Medicare Advantage plan is being discontinued. Can I get a Medicare Supplement without health questions?
Usually yes. A plan leaving Medicare or your area gives you a federal guaranteed issue right to buy Medigap Plan A, B, D or G (or C or F if you were eligible for Medicare before 2020) with no medical underwriting, as long as you apply within the window and move to Original Medicare.
How long do I have to use my Medigap guaranteed issue right?
From 60 days before your Medicare Advantage coverage ends to 63 days after it ends. After that window closes, Medigap companies in most states can ask health questions again.
Can I be charged more for a Medigap plan because of my health during guaranteed issue?
No. During a guaranteed issue right, the Medigap company can't charge more for past or present health problems and can't refuse to sell you a plan it's required to offer.
What if I just pick another Medicare Advantage plan instead?
You can. Your plan ending also gives you a Special Enrollment Period to choose a different Medicare Advantage plan. The guaranteed issue right matters if you'd rather have Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, which lets you see any provider that accepts Medicare.
Questions are easier by phone.
Call 855-367-1095 to talk through your situation with licensed insurance help.
- Licensed insurance help
- No guaranteed eligibility, pricing, or availability
- Educational starting point
GetFastRates.com is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Calling connects you with licensed insurance help. Plan availability, costs, benefits, and enrollment rules can vary by state, carrier, and individual situation.